BARRY MURPHY’S late penalty save secured a precious point for an injury-ravaged Bohemians against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

 

 

After a decidedly slow opening 15 minutes, the Saints had the first notable attempt on goal 60 seconds later when a low strike by Paul Crowley was parried to safety by Bohs keeper Barry Murphy.

 

The Saints almost grabbed a fortunate opener on the half hour when Crowley’s strike deflected off teammate Danny North and Murphy was forced into good reaction save.

 

Killian Brennan had a long range effort comfortably gathered by home keeper Gary Rogers before David McMillan saw his header from a Stephen Bradley free-kick land on the roof of the net.

 

Brennan fired over a dangerous free-kick in the 45th minute that the home defence was glad to bundle to safety.

 

The second half proved a tense affair as neither side found the other side’s defence very difficult to break down.

 

Dave McMillan should have done better in the 75th minute when he volleyed over from a right wing cross as the Saints found space in the Bohs penalty area for the first time in the half.

 

Two minutes later a typical Mark Rossiter blast from distance looked to have Rogers troubled but it flew narrowly wide.

 

Bohs had lost Ollie Cahill through injury in the first half then his replacement Lee Dixon limped off to be replaced by Gary Burke. Brennan later followed them off as he too succumbed to injury.

 

Bohs had a let off in the 85th minute when Anto Murphy’s strike bounces back off Barry Murphy and St Pats almost converted the rebound but had a man flagged up for offside.

 

In the 90th minute there was real drama as the Saints were awarded a penalty for a foul by Ger O’Brien on Shane McFaul. Once again Barry Murphy proved the hero when he saved Paul Crowley’s spot-kick.

 

There was drama around the incident as Ger O’Brien was shown a red card initially for a second yellow before the error was corrected and he was allowed continue.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Bermingham, E McMillan, Mulcahy, Bradley (McFaul 81), Crowley, A Murphy, D McMillan, North (Daly 71), Doyle.

 

Bohemians: B Murphy; Heary, G O'Brien, Burns, Price, Bayly, Rossiter, Cahill (Dixon 22 (Burke 46)), Flood, Traynor, Brennan (Buckley 50).

 

Referee: R Winter (Wicklow)

 

Ends